2. analog
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My final table , hopefully !

Back in the 80's I was seduced to the digital side ! At first it was lovely . But then , I became hooked , it got cold and ugly .  After a lot of work and many years , I was able to get onto the recovery road to analogdom .

I returned with a MMF 5.1 turntable and stock cartridge . Oh that warm cozy feeling , I missed you so ! 

 But now , as luck would have it , I want MORE !  More dynamics , more detail , more extension , more rich tone and above all else more of that sensuous musicality . I've grown old , fat and out of shape since I quit tapping my toes , bobbing my head , playing air guitar & and dancing around the room ! I'm greedy and I want it all !

Unfortunately , my addictions have forced me to the land of the small budget . I need to stay in the 2K + 3K range . If I can trade in my MMF 5.1 table and cartridge , that would help .


I would like to spend a majority of my money on the table and arm . I need a faithful dog , a table that will stick with me through thick & thin and never leave my side . To grow older with me without the need for attention . I am a set it & forget it / plug n play kind of guy . I want to listen to music , not futz with stuff . I am not able to go out and hear a lot of stuff so my ideas come from the net ...and my help comes from you !

I have read that different manufacturers tables have different sound characteristics . How much of this can be attributed to the arm and cartridge used ? How much can it be altered ? I prefer classic rock , singers & songwriters , contemporary blues , Detroit soul and classical . Not much for Disco ,  Rap , Techno or Hip Hop .

While most tables have an upgrade path , I would like to refrain from taking it . Again the plug n play / set it & forget it attitude .


Here is what I have come up with , in no special order :

VPI Prime - the most expensive , comes with the 3D arm .

Well Tempered Amadeus MKII - comes with the golf ball arm .

Avid Diva II

Sota Saphire V - no real need for a suspension system as I am on a slab .

Sota Saphire III - refurbished , again no real need for the suspension system . 

Origin Live Calypso MkIII

Looking at the Jelco 750D arm for some of these tables .


Thank You .

Saki70


saki70
saki70 OP
907 posts
 

Thanks Moonglum !

These things do tend to take on a life of there own !

The cartridge is in , waiting on the table .

Happy Tunes

moonglum
619 posts
 

I know that feeling!

Hope everything goes smoothly.

All the best!

stewart0722
184 posts
 
I think Townshend is redesigning the Rock series and is stopping production of old...........
lohanimal
659 posts
 
IMHO for plug and play:
Rega RP10
Townhend Rock 7 (my fave)
Helius (aurora II think)
Nottingham analogue spacedeck
Out of interest must you buy brand new? For 2-3k with arm there are some superb second hand decks that you can get.
saki70 OP
907 posts
 

Just a short follow up ...

Straight out of the box this VPI Prime is a very noticeable improvement .

I had the dealer install the Ortofon 2M black cartridge and set up everything before shipping it to me . The counter weight had moved and needed adjustment and the arm and cartridge alignment were checked just to be sure .

With a cold tube amp and phono stage this is at least twice as good as my MMF 5.1 with stock cartridge ! There is just more of everything , which is what one would expect . Extension at both ends , definition ,macro and micro details , clarity , air it's all there in abundance . What I didn't expect was the individual placing of each performer and instrument , the 'they are here' presence and realistic tone . Now I know what is meant by a black quiet background . It sounds as if they are in the room with me . Everything is just so much clearer and realistic than before . Warmed up , takes it another couple of steps further up the ladder ! And it still is not broke in yet . VPI recommends at least 20 hours of play . Working .

 I am still using the same phono stage , a Hagerman Cornet 3 . This is a nice piece but I don't believe it to be in the same league as the VPI Prime . I feel another thread coming , down the road a bit ! 

I would like to thank my salesman Jeff Harris at Reference Analog in Moore OK.

When I had a problem with the counter weight , as mentioned above , he made himself available via telephone and was most gracious and helpful . He even went so far as to have me call back to make sure that all was well after trying it out , these calls were placed Saturday evening ! A classy guy who actually cares what happens 'after' the sale ! Kudos Jeff and thanks for the great deal too !

Listening to some really nice music .

saki70

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